I love this book Ed. When I purchased it at Barry's Magic about 13 years ago, Richard was in the shop and graciously signed my copy. I like the Michael Skinner issue and particularly his "Slow Motion Coin Vanish." :)

Originally posted by Bill Duncan:Jay Sankey's Slick Splits on page 356 is wonderful and overlooked.

I was just watching sankey do "slick splits" on his coin tape and it's so impressive and magical looking. Not too hard to do either. Very clever thinker that Jay. Now if only someone would magically give Richard a few more hours a day to get Sankeys new book out! j/k Richard! :)

Ditto on the Almanac being way cool. I love performing "Paul's Bill Comes Due" page xxviii and "Convincing Technicolor Oil and Water" page 377. Both are excellent!Now if someone could just show me how to "Firp" I would be grateful. Thanks RK.

I'll mention one of my own favorites since no one else has: Bob Stencel's "Once Torn, Twice Restored." What a great item! Also, that Michael Weber trick with the dice is very very good. Tons of great stuff in there. It was a fertile period in our history.

I love this book! In fact, its sitting right by the couch so whenever I sit down I take a peak. I have discovered things in that book that I overlooked before. Also there are some great things hidden in the Bull section. I juse recently stumbled across an idea by John Corneilius in which you show your pocket empty then the inside of your pocket crawls back inside your pants. I love it. All the Sankey stuff is great. The coin material is all very good, and I haven't explored the card plots yet.

This is one of the few books in my collection that is not in great shape - I carried it around with me for about 4-5 months - Everyone should own a copy of this I remember I did a trick where a signed one dollar bill changed into a five dollar bill ("George Steps Out" by James Rigali) I did that trick for everyone I knew for months.

I agree also - BULL is a great way to track recent history - I think I'll reread it

I wish Mr Kaufman would put out another magazine - I'd subscribe. Dave

Originally posted by Richard Kaufman:Wow, I've never seen that Tripod web site before! I think everyone should bookmark it since it makes a fabulous reference.

I case you weren't aware, Doug Atkinson (owner of the site) has the contents listing for a whole bunch of books (probably around 300 or so), as well as reference listings for many common effects, such as the sponge balls, ring & string, card to wallet, etc. The link to the main portion of the site is here: http://magicref.tripod.com/magic0.htm

While I applaud the effort behind these listings, I question the approach. There is something inherently wrong about, for example, a lengthy list of Sponge Ball routines with nary a mention of Jesse Lybarger.

Originally posted by Richard Kaufman:Well, Max, that would be your cue to send the guy who runs the site the inventor's name and see it added to the list! It IS possible for those of us who do know these details to pass them on. :)

Spare me your misguided criticism, Richard. Of course its possible to pass on such information; I answer dozens of such queries every month.

My point was (and is) that the approach of the website seems to indicate a lack of interest in determining sources. Rather, it appears to be aimed at providing lots of references, with little regard for historical provenance.

If that is so, I have little interest. And, if it's not, those connected with that site are free to contact me.

Meanwhile, Richard, you know that Lybarger was to first to publish the idea of Sponge Balls in the October 1926 Linking Ring. As you've noted, "it IS possible for those of us who do know these details to pass them on" -- so what's stopping you from donating your time?

Oh, I almost forgot -- here's a smiley face so that I won't be accused of ill humor: :)

While I applaud the effort behind these listings, I question the approach. There is something inherently wrong about, for example, a lengthy list of Sponge Ball routines with nary a mention of Jesse Lybarger.

Max, the compiler did say he was only providing a "partial list of books" and that it is "far from a thorough coverage".

Originally posted by happytrickster:Max, the compiler did say he was only providing a "partial list of books" and that it is "far from a thorough coverage".

Yes, and as Max wrote earlier today:

My point was (and is) that the approach of the website seems to indicate a lack of interest in determining sources. Rather, it appears to be aimed at providing lots of references, with little regard for historical provenance.

If that is so, I have little interest. And, if it's not, those connected with that site are free to contact me.

What exactly are you telling us that Max didn't already just acknowlege and say he has no interest in?

I'm new here, and I received this this summer, and it is a fantastic book. Some favorites are Choice Flesh, Sentimental Aces, Meta-Assembly, any of the Hamman effects, and pretty much all of the intro and Bull sections, as they are very interesting and educational. Hopefully I can comb through this again during Christmas break!